Method and apparatus for remotely operating appliances from video interphones or shopping terminals

• US 7,973,647 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbex Video Limited (Elbex Japan Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Elbex Video Limited (Elbex Japan Ltd.)
• Inventors: Elberbaum, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): POINT, RUFUS C
• Application Number:
  US11/509,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/10.3, 340/10.31, 340/825.62
• US Class Current: 340/13.24
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remotely operating at least one remote controlled appliance through a monitor station of a video interphone. The appliance itself being capable of operation by a remote control device. The monitor station includes a receiving input, a central processing unit, a memory, select keys and at least one output. The remote control device is used for generating a coded signal to the receiving input which filters the received coded signal for feeding a clean envelope of the coded signal to the central processing unit. The central processing unit processes the envelope and generates counted data pertaining to the envelope and indexes and stores the counted data into the memory. One of the select keys is assigned for retrieving and feeding the counted data to the output on the basis of the indexing. The output regenerates the coded signal for operating the appliance.

Claims

1. A method for recalling an indexed mixed data by a recall selected from a group comprising an automation program, built-in keys in a controller, associated keys of at least one remote recall unit and combinations thereof for operating at least one specific function of at least one specific appliance of a plurality of remote controlled appliances within a premises through a network of at least one driver of at least one output of said controller selected from the group comprising of a video interphone, a shopping terminal, a dedicated control station and combinations thereof;

each of said indexed mixed data is a sequence of a data comprising a specific premises data pertaining to said at least one specific appliance, said at least one specific appliance location, said driver and a specific command data of a remote control signal used for operating said specific function, selected from one of a single remote control signal and a sequence of remote control signals, is stored in a memory of said controller, said recalling addresses a specific index of said mixed data for initiating a reproduction and propagation of a specific remote control signal via said output to said at least one specific appliance, said controller further including at least one input for receiving said remote control signal and a central processing unit, said method comprising the steps of;

creating said premises data on the basis of said at least one driver, said appliances, each said appliances type and its location including each said specific premises data;

feeding said remote control signal used for each of a desired function for each of said plurality of remote controlled appliances including said remote control signal for operating said at least one specific function of said at least one specific appliance to said input;

filtering each received said remote control signal for feeding its envelope to said central processing unit;

creating said command data pertaining to each said desired function including said specific command data by said central processing unit processing each said envelope;

uniquely mixing said specific premises data with said specific command data and indexing each said uniquely mixed data into one said specific index of said mixed data stored in said memory;

assigning said recalling of said specific index to said automation program and to at least one key of said keys; and

engaging one of said automation program and said key for said recalling of said specific index for propagating a reproduced said specific remote control signal to said at least one specific appliance in said specific location.

2. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1 wherein said built-in keys are forming an integral part of said control station and said associated keys communicate with said control station via a network selected from the group comprising a wireless network, an RF network, an IR network, an optical network, a wired network, a data network and combinations thereof.

3. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1 wherein said keys are selected from the group comprising a touch switch, a push switch, a key switch, a micro switch, a key pad, a toggle switch, a slide switch, an electronic switch, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, an optical switch, a proximity switch, a magnetic reader, an RFID reader, a card reader, an optical reader, a touch screen icon, a touch screen menu, a touch screen line, a touch screen zone, a touch screen area, the whole of a touch screen and combinations thereof.

4. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said input is selected from the group comprising a wireless receiver, an RF receiver, an IR receiver, an optical receiver, a wired receiver, a data receiver and combinations thereof and said output is a driver output circuit selected from the group comprising a relay contact, an open collector, an electronic switch, an electric switch, a serial code buffer, a parallel code buffer, an RF transmitter, an IR transmitter, an optical transmitter and combinations thereof.

5. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said appliance is selected from the group comprising at least one of an alarm sensor an alarm device, an alarm controller, an emergency sensor, an emergency device, an emergency equipment, the elderly support equipment, the handicap support equipment, a medical sensor, medical equipment, a lighting device, a light switch, a light fixture, a television receiver, an audio-visual recorder, a radio, a back ground music system, a home theater, an audio-video playback device, audio system, a motorized curtain, a motorized blind, a motorized shade, an electric lock, a kitchen utensil, a kitchen equipment, a laundry machine, a laundry dryer, a garden equipment, a garden system, an air conditioner, an air pollution controller, an air pollution filter, an oven, a refrigerator, a freezer, a heating system, a cooling system, an environmental sensor, an environmental controller, a power consumption sensor, an energy control device, an energy controller, a motorized garage door, a parking barrier, an elevator and combinations thereof.

6. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said processing is selected from the group comprising detecting frequency, detecting rise time, detecting fall time, detecting time duration, detecting pulse width, detecting pulse level, detecting interval width, pulses counting, intervals counting, defining pulses state, defining intervals state, resetting and combinations thereof.

7. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said specific command data is a sequence of commands and wherein a single engagement of one of said automation program and said key recalls a sequence of said remote control signals.

8. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 7, wherein said single engagement recalls a sequence of a repeated said specific remote control signal.

9. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 4, wherein said RF receiver detects the frequency of a received RF signal and said IR receiver detects the clock frequency of a received IR signal.

10. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 4, wherein the frequency of said RF transmitter is controlled by said RF receiver and the clock frequency of said IR transmitter is controlled by one of said IR receiver and said central processing unit.

11. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 4, wherein each said output selected from the group comprising a relay contact, an open collector, an electronic switch and an electric switch directly connectable to said specific appliance via a wired circuit.

12. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said output is selected from the group comprising a serial code buffer, a parallel code buffer, an RF transmitter, an IR transmitter, an IR transmitter, and optical transmitter, a data buffer and combinations thereof for propagating one of said remote control signal and said recalling via at least one of distributed wire network and a remote relay station.

13. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein software items selected from the group comprising said program, said indexing, said specific indexing, said assigning, said mixed data, said specific mixed data, said premises data, said command data and combinations thereof are propagated between said controller and its associated peripherals selected from a group comprising a distributor for said network, a keypad, an IR remote control unit, an RF remote control unit, a remote driver, a remote relay station and combinations thereof for program handling selected from a group comprising uploading, downloading, reprogramming, updating, modifying and combinations thereof through at least one of said input and said output.

14. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said network propagates said remote control signal to at least one relay station selected from the group comprising a serial code to a relay contact station, a serial code to an electric switch station, a serial code to an RF transmitter station, a serial code to an IR transmitter station, a serial code to an optical transmitter station, a parallel code to a relay contact station, a parallel code to an electric switch station, a parallel code to an RF transmitter station, a parallel code to an IR transmitter station, a parallel code to an optical transmitter station, an RF receiver to a relay contact station, an RF receiver to an electric switch station, an RF receiver to an RF transmitter station, an RF receiver to an IR transmitter station, an RF receiver to an optical transmitter station, an IR receiver to a relay contact station, an IR receiver to an electric switch station, an IR receiver to an IR transmitter station, an IR receiver to an optical transmitter station, an IR receiver to an RF transmitter station and combinations thereof.

15. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein said network of said driver is a distributed network via at least one of a data distributor and a remote control signal distributor.

16. The method for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said indexed mixed data comprising said premises data pertaining to a plurality of appliances in at least one of said specific location and throughout said premises and said specific command data comprising at least one remote control signal for operating a function of said plurality of appliances and wherein said engaging one of said automation and said key propagates a reproduced said specific remote control signal to said plurality of appliances in said at least one specific location and said throughout said premises.

17. An apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data by a recall selected from a group comprising an automation program, built-in keys in a controller, associated keys of at least one remote recall unit and combinations thereof for operating at least one specific function of at least one specific appliance of a plurality of remote controlled appliances within a premises through a network of at least one driver of at least one output of said controller selected from the group comprising of a video interphone, a shopping terminal, a dedicated control station and combinations thereof;

each of said indexed mixed data is a programmed sequence of a data comprising a specific premises data pertaining to said at least one specific appliance, said at least one specific appliance location, said driver and a specific command data of a remote control signal used for operating said specific function, selected from one of a single remote control signal and a sequence of remote control signals, is stored in a memory of said controller and said recalling addresses a specific index of said mixed data for initiating a reproduction and propagation of a specific remote control signal via said output to said specific appliance;

said controller further including at least one input for receiving and filtering said remote control signal for outputting an envelope of each received said remote control signal to a central processing unit included in said controller, said central processing unit creates said specific command data pertaining to each specific function of each said specific appliance by processing each said envelope and uniquely mixes each said specific command data with said specific premises data;

said automation program and at least one key of said keys are assigned with said recalling of said specific index by engaging one of said automation program and said key for propagating said reproduction of said specific remote control signal via said output to said at least one specific appliance in its said specific location.

18. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17 wherein said built-in keys are forming an integral part of said controller and said associated keys communicate with said control station via a network selected from the group comprising a wireless network, an RF network, an IR network, an optical network, a wired network, a data network and combinations thereof.

19. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17 wherein said keys are selected from the group comprising a touch switch, a push switch, a key switch, a micro switch, a key pad, a toggle switch, a slide switch, an electronic switch, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, an optical switch, a proximity switch, a magnetic reader, an RFID reader, a card reader, an optical reader, a touch screen icon, a touch screen menu, a touch screen line, a touch screen zone, a touch screen area, the whole of a touch screen and combinations thereof.

20. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said input is selected from the group comprising a wireless receiver, an RF receiver, an IR receiver, an optical receiver, a wired receiver, a data receiver and combinations thereof and said output is a driver output circuit selected from the group comprising of a relay contact, an open collector, an electronic switch, an electric switch, a serial code buffer, a parallel code buffer, an RF transmitter, an IR transmitter, an optical transmitter and combinations thereof.

21. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said appliance is selected from the group comprising at least one of alarm sensor an alarm device, an alarm controller, an emergency sensor, an emergency device, an emergence equipment, the elderly support equipment, the handicap support equipment, a medical sensor, a medical equipment, a lighting device, a light switch, a light fixture, a television receiver, an audio-visual recorder, a radio, a back ground music system, a home theater, an audio-video playback device, audio system, a motorized curtain, a motorized blind, a motorized shade, an electric lock, a kitchen utensil, a kitchen equipment, a laundry machine, a laundry dryer, a garden equipment, a garden system, an air conditioner, an air pollution controller, an air pollution filter, an oven, a refrigerator, a freezer, a heating system, a cooling system, an environmental sensor, an environmental controller, a power consumption sensor, an energy control device, an energy controller, a motorized garage door, a parking barrier, an elevator and combinations thereof.

22. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said processing is selected from the group comprising detecting frequency, detecting rise time, detecting fall time, detecting time duration, detecting pulse width, detecting pulse level, detecting interval width, pulses counting, intervals counting, defining pulses state, defining intervals state, resetting and combinations thereof.

23. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said specific command data is a sequence of commands and wherein a single engaging of one of said automation program and said keys recalls a sequence of said remote control signals.

24. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 22, wherein said single engaging recalls a sequence of a repeated said specific remote control signals.

25. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 21, wherein said RF receiver detects the frequency of a received RF signal and said IR receiver detects the clock frequency of a received IR signal.

26. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 21, wherein the frequency of said RF transmitter is controlled by said RF receiver and the clock frequency of said IR transmitter is controlled by one of said IR receiver and said central processing unit.

27. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 21, wherein each said output selected from the group comprising a relay contact, an open collector, an electronic switch and an electric switch is directly connectable to said specific appliance via a wired circuit.

28. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said output is selected from the group comprising a serial code buffer, a parallel code buffer, an RF transmitter, an IR transmitter, an optical transmitter, a data buffer, and combinations thereof for propagating one of said remote control signal and said recalling via at least one of a distributed wired network and a remote relay station.

29. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein software items selected from the group comprising said program, said indexing, said specific indexing, said assigning, said mixed data, said specific mixed data, said premises data, said command data and combinations thereof are propagated between said control station and its associated peripherals selected from a group comprising a distributor for said network, a keypad, an IR remote control unit, an RF remote control unit, a remote driver, a remote relay station, and combinations thereof for program handling selected from a group comprising uploading, downloading, reprogramming, updating, modifying and combinations thereof through at least one of said input and said output.

30. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said network propagates said remote control signal to at least one relay station selected from the group comprising a serial code to a relay contact station, a serial code to an electric switch station, a serial code to an RF transmitter station, a serial code to an IR transmitter station, a serial code to an optical transmitter station, a parallel code to a relay contact station, a parallel code to an electric switch station, a parallel code to an RF transmitter station, a parallel code to an IR transmitter station, a parallel code to an optical transmitter station, an RF receiver to a relay contact station, an RF receiver to an electric switch station, an RF receiver to an RF transmitter station, an RF receiver to an IR transmitter station, an RF receiver to an optical transmitter station, an IR receiver to a relay contact station, an IR receiver to an electric switch station, an IR receiver to an IR transmitter station, an IR receiver to an optical transmitter station, an IR receiver to an RF transmitter station and combinations thereof.

31. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein said network of said driver is a distributed network via at least one of a data distributor and said remote control signal distributor.

32. The apparatus for recalling an indexed mixed data according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said indexed mixed data comprising said premises data pertaining to a plurality of appliances in at least one of said specific location and throughout said premises and said specific command data comprising at least one remote control signal for operating a function of said plurality of appliances and wherein said engaging one of said automation and said key propagates a reproduced said specific remote control signal to said plurality of appliances in said at least one specific location and said throughout said premises.